The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-08-04
Letter from Hon. John S. Barbour,

Aobb0F 1fon I1Ou. JOuu .. bafDOur.
ALEXANDRIA, VA. July 49, 1857
--, Esq, PungOteagae "a:
Dear Sir,-Your very able and suggestive
letter of the 18th, relative to the political situa-
views in regard to the question of the State
debt, has been duly received and read with
much interest. am very much obliged for the
personal reference to myself, and only wish
that L were moro competent to measure up to
the requirements of the occasion.
have given the subject of the State debt a
good deal Ofthought, and as at present advised
do not see that the Democratic party Of Vir'
gina can afford to change the position assumed
The people of Virginia have approved of this
platform, as annunciated in the creed of both
parties do not think. therefore, it would be
safe to depart from this position.
The assistance of the Federal Government
to which you refer as the idea of Henry A. Wise
first, and afterwards presented in a general way
by Mr.. Blaine--is very we'll worthy of consider,
alton and might be introduced al our conven-
ton as supplementary to the declaration to
stand by the Rddleberger settlement.
There was resolution of this sort intro
duced and adopted in the House of Delegates
at the extra session of the Legislature just be-
fore its adjournment, which you may have no.
ticed.
While Congress probably cannot be induced
to commit the Federal Government to pay d.
rectly the obligations of State. it is believed
that proposition to appropriate an amount of
the public lands equivalent in area to the ter
ritory which was taken from Virginia in the
dismemberment of the State might be passed.
At least strong equities could be urged in it's
t behalf and good case presented to the ma
tional Legislature. II this can be accomplished
a land fund would be realized which would
fully pay our State debt and probably leave us
surplus for educational purposes.
do not see that we are so helpless as re-
CARDS maintaining our position. II the people
will only have the patriotism to pay their taxes
IN money and not IN coupons we will have but
little further trouble. This course on the part
of the people had been pretty well assured I'M
til the Republicans in the cities and counties
undertook the payment in coupons and ex-
cited the cup1dlty of some of our DEM
ocratic friends to do the same thing. OF course
their object was to make party capital.
Inc RepuDncans except in a few localities,
represent very little property of the State, and
their payment OF taxes in coupons will not
amount to much if the Democrats will only
stand hrm Until that object can be effected
do not see what is left except to bring public
opinion to bear upon those who are seeking to
take advantage of the rest of the community in
the payment of taxes. Certainly a few
moneyed men in the cities ought not to be al
crease taxation in the State and uSurp the
power which the regular accredited represen-
tat1yes OF the people in the Legislature would
not dare exercise.
But, my dear sir, this debt question, impor-
tant as 1t is, ought not to be everything in Wiz
gina. is your section OF the State willing to
see the Malone dynasty restored to power,
with all the evils in its train which past eX-
perlence has exhibited? Do the Democrats of
Accomack wish to the congressional dis
tr1cts reapportioned in the interest of the Re-
publican party. the judicial circuits rearranged,
new lot OF circuit and county judges appoint
ed, the school boards vacated and filled with
party hacks and the whole machineryaof our
elections, State and Federal, controlled by such
agencies in the hands of our political adYersa-
rieS?
have too much confidence in the Virginia
people TO expect any such result.
VI course have written you the above purely
as personal letter and in reply to your favor.
snail be happy to hear from you at any time,
ana remain very respectfully yours,
JOHN s. BARI OrR